Overview & Reviews

Chrysler is generally considered part of the Big Three, a title that refers to the traditional triumvirate of domestic automakers. The current accuracy of this classification is open for debate, but there's no debating the fact that Chrysler has experienced a revival of sorts over the past few years.

Chrysler Corporation was founded in 1925 by Walter P. Chrysler, a noted machinist; he'd purchased the Maxwell Motor Corporation of Detroit and used it as the foundation for his new company. The automaker quickly earned a reputation for advanced engineering. In 1928, Chrysler Corporation expanded with the purchase of Dodge and the creation of the DeSoto and Plymouth divisions.

The 1930s saw Chrysler boldly looking toward the future with the introduction of its revolutionary Airflow. Powered by a front-mounted inline-8, the car was one of the first to be designed with aerodynamics in mind, and featured swooping lines and a prominent grille. Perhaps a bit too ahead of its time, the Airflow was a flop with the public. Chrysler was able to survive the lean years of the Depression thanks to strong sales of its entry-level Dodge and Plymouth brands, whose vehicles boasted more traditional designs and much lower price tags.

Chrysler shined postwar. For a period in the late 1940s, it even surpassed Ford as the No. 2 U.S. automaker. The company's storied "Hemi" V8 engine debuted in 1951. Offering 180 horsepower, it was a significant improvement over Chrysler's previous 135-hp V8. The Hemi engine was meant to trounce the V8 offered by Cadillac, Chrysler's rival, and it kick-started Detroit's horsepower race of the 1950s and '60s. The '50s also saw the debut of treasured Chrysler classics like the handsome Town and Country and the sleek 300C.

By 1961, Chrysler had trimmed its line of brands by dropping the DeSoto nameplate. New technologies were also afoot, such as unibody construction (Chrysler was the first of the Big Three to introduce it) and the replacement of generators with alternators for a car's charging system. In the latter half of the '60s, Chrysler was heavily involved with NASCAR and producing performance-oriented cars.

At the same time, however, dark clouds were gathering. As with other domestic automakers, the 1970s proved to be a difficult decade due to the oil crisis, new government regulations and changing consumer tastes. A costly and ineffective overseas expansion further hurt the company's bottom line. By the late '70s, the company was in such financial disarray that it petitioned the government for $1.5 billion in loan guarantees to save it from bankruptcy.

Thanks to impressive public campaigning by then-chairman Lee Iacocca, the debut of the well-received K-car platform and the creation of the modern minivan, sales had improved dramatically by the mid-'80s. The government's loan was paid off seven years early. The picture further brightened in the late 1980s with Chrysler's purchase of American Motors Corporation (which netted the company the Jeep brand) and a joint venture with Mitsubishi known as Diamond Star Motors.

Success continued through the early 1990s. In 1998, German-based Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler. At the time, this deal was presented as a merger of equals. But it quickly became apparent that it was more of a purchase, with Daimler being the dominant partner.

Less than a decade later, that merger was no longer, as Daimler sold Chrysler (and Dodge) to a private equity firm in 2007. However, that merger had borne some worthwhile fruit, most notably in the form of the Chrysler 300 full-size sedan. The latter shared some chassis components with an older Mercedes-Benz E-Class platform.

As such, the 300 was a highlight for Chrysler that had a pleasingly solid feel to its driving dynamics that was further sweetened via an available powerful V8 engine. But soon after the split, America's economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy and the federal government intervened with bailout loans. Eventually Chrysler came under control of Italy's Fiat.

Today, the lineup has been pared down to a pair of sedans, a convertible and a minivan. However, after years of having lackluster entries in the very important midsize car category, Chrysler made major improvements in the performance, design and quality of its midsize sedan entry, the 200. The latest 300 also stands as a prime choice for a premium full-size sedan. Still, it remains to be seen as to whether this and future product releases will be enough to restore the company to its former glory.

User Reviews:

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  Great Vehicle - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Suirtimed - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Fantastic vehicle. Lots of bang for the buck. The 6 cylinder has plenty of get up and go. Compared to other vehicles with the larger engine and leather this was the best deal by far.

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  Im in love with the PT Cruiser - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Boren - October 24 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. Its comfortable, easy on gas, certainly turns heads every- where I go. Its roomy, holds a lot of stuff. Lots of people ask me about my PT Cruiser, and I tell them all the same thing. I Just Love My Cruiser. Also, I think it has all the speed anyone needs, it certainly goes up hills great. It really takes off. I couldnt be happier with the PT Cruiser. I want to keep it forever.

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  Chrysler Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Cynthia Kremsner - October 24 - 10:00 am

  The only complaint that I have about this vehicle so far, is the visibility when changing lanes to the left. Looking over the drivers left shoulder, the visibility is limited and you have to use the mirror and look over your shoulder.

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  Good Car - beware buying from conglomerate dealers - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Robert Wilkins - October 21 - 4:14 pm

  Fueling - make sure it accepts fuel without spit back. Acceleration and braking - will put a smile on your face Fuel economy - not so much - not expected from a relatively large V8 in a 4,200 lb car. Good handling

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  Early returns on the C - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By IES99 - October 20 - 12:20 pm

  The Satin Jade C is 5 months and 7000 miles old now. At this point no issues have occurred with regard to reliability. It has not been back to the dealer. It is comfortable, fun, and quick for such big car. Although these have been around a couple of years now, people still comment on its looks, and so far those comments have all been positive. I look for excuses to drive it still. We took the Sirius, power moonroof, side airbags, adjustable pedals. Mileage has not been bad for the HEMI. So far so good.

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  Crossfire Bliss - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By iamagambit - October 18 - 2:00 am

  This car handles like a dream. With so much rubber meeting the pavement, it is more fun to drive than my BMW 3 series. Leather, heated seats, heated mirrors, excellent sound system, alarm, keyless remote, are all included. There are no options to add. Interior/exterior color and stick/manual are the only options.

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  Highly Recommended - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By mneedler - October 18 - 2:00 am

  The style of the Pacifica was what intriqued me. After a test drive, I knew it was for me. It handles wonderfully, the features make sense and it is a comfortable vehicle to drive. I would recommend it to anyone.

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  cool car - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By edmund j. - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Replacement for a 1973 Merc Capri v6. Had to replace a classic car with a comparable car. Affordability, quality, and performance were all considerations. Fun to drive, rides great, handles good, not exactly fast (180hp), and several blind spots to get used to. Havent taken it on a long trip yet, but 22-23 mpg combo city/fwy. Mileage could be better. Smaller turbo packs some punch. Wish it was a v6.

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  better than mercedes - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Garnier Philippe - October 16 - 1:56 pm

  and half the price. Use to drive a 600SL who spend more time at the dealership than on the road because of malfunctions. The SRT8 is really an amazing car.

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  So very disappointed - 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager
  By bob&ginger - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Never have I been more disappointed with a vehicle. The gas mileage is poor, the vehicle has been terribly unreliable and we have had over the past year 3 significant issues with our transmission. The power of the engine leaves much to be desired, the tires wear inconsistently which our dealership tells us has been an issue with the Voyager. In total it has been to the garage about 15 different times in the short time we have had it. I will NEVER buy another Voyager/Caravan again.